Activity system and method

ABSTRACT

An activity system which includes a play area and at least one wall, which defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of the wall. Each play surface is capable of facilitating an activity. At least one aperture is formed in the at least one wall, which allows users of the activity system to complete an objective of an activity facilitated by the activity system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an activity system and a method of facilitating activity using the activity system. In particular embodiments the present invention may be used to provide playground equipment, game or activity stations to be used by children. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that other applications or user groups are also within the scope of the invention.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Modern children are considered to be less physically active than their parents were at their age. Many factors contribute to this decreased activity, ranging from transport options employed by or for children through to the ready availability of computer based entertainment options for children.

Playgrounds and sporting facilities provide an important opportunity for children to participate in some form of physical activity. However, some age groups are not adequately catered for by the current range of playground equipment, sports fields or sporting facilities on offer.

For example, existing playground equipment generally caters to the interests and physical development of three to seven year old children. Various apparatus such as climbing nets, monkey bars and slides are normally found as part of existing playground equipment allowing younger children to develop their basic movement and motor skills. However, existing forms of playground equipment are not necessarily of interest to older children who may have become bored with such systems due to exposure to same in their earlier years.

Conversely, pre-teenage children can lack the physical development required to properly use adult sized sporting equipment, fields or facilities.

Full sized sporting fields may be too long for pre-teenage children to run easily, while goal mouths or basketball hoops may be too large or Set too high for children at this development stage to easily defend or score points with. Furthermore, sporting equipment and facilities designed for adults generally requires a full compliment of players or participants to work effectively. In contrast, groups of children wishing to play together are much less likely to be sufficiently organized to have scheduled the attendance of the required number of players to use such traditional sporting facilities. It is far more likely that children will spontaneously decide to participate in a particular activity. In this case it is common to find that only a relatively small group of children are available to participate in an activity. Such spontaneity is also a limitation where sporting equipment needs to be available for a particular activity and the children have not thought ahead far enough to ensure they have all the equipment required to play a particular game.

Therefore, the applicants feel that children ranging in age between six and twelve are not adequately catered for by existing playground equipment, nor by sporting facilities which are designed for adult use. Children of these ages run the risk of developing antisocial and inactive behaviors such as television watching or spending long periods of time engaged in computer based games. This age group of children is however interested in participating in activities which require co-operation, competition or some form of achievement. These activities generally occur In small or informal social groups. Physical activities in which children can participate in small groups and playing games with simple and easily understood rule sets are not currently provided for by existing playground equipment or sporting facilities.

An improved activity system and/or method of facilitating activity or activities would therefore be of advantage over the prior art. In particular, an activity system or method which allowed a single space to facilitate the completion of a number of different activities, and which allowed small or informal groups of participants to complete or participate in an activity would be of advantage to the community. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have available an activity system which provides components or potentially all elements/equipment required for an activity which remain part of the activity system on a permanent basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an activity system which includes:

a play area; and

at least one wall which defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of the wall, each play surface capable of facilitating an activity; and

at least one aperture formed in said at least one wall;

wherein an aperture allows users of the activity system to complete an objective of an activity facilitated by the activity system.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an activity system substantially as described above wherein an aperture encloses a net.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an activity system which includes:

a play area; and

at least one wall which defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of the wall, each play surface capable of facilitating an activity; and

at least one projection or depression formed in at least one play surface of a wall;

wherein said at least one projection or depression bounces back an object thrown at the wall at an unpredictable angle.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an activity system substantially as described above wherein any wall/walls incorporated into the system have a modular configuration by being prefabricated and at least some of the walls having the same shape and size. Preferably, the activity system comprises two discrete sets of walls, the first set of walls having a first predetermined size and shape and the second set of walls having a second predetermined size and shape.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an activity system substantially as described above wherein the modular walls may include one of a plurality of design variations dependent on the activities to be facilitated on each of the play surfaces of a wall.

Preferably, the present invention may be adapted to provide an activity system which can facilitate the performance of at least two independent activities by users of the system. The activity system can facilitate these activities by providing at least a portion or component of equipment required by users to perform an activity. These components or elements of the system are permanently located in an accessible area or region. The present invention therefore allows a number of activities to be performed or completed with users needing to supply only a minimum amount of equipment.

While the activity system of the present invention is adapted to provide a number of separate activity stations which can be utilised independently, one skilled in the art would appreciate that interaction between participants at different activity stations may occur or be desirable in some instances.

Reference throughout the specification will be made to the activities facilitated by the present invention being games which include a set of rules defining how an objective of the activity is to be completed by a successful player or participant.

In a further preferred embodiment the activity based game(s) may be designed so as to attract the attention of children and allow children to play together in small ad hoc groups or alternatively (in some instances) on their own.

Preferably the activity system provided by the present invention may include a number of prefabricated walls formed with a modular design. Using a prefabricated modular design system allows the walls incorporated into the activity system to be formed at relatively low cost. It also allows the eventual size or number of activities offered by the system to be easily varied and configured to suit the requirements of its users.

Furthermore, a modular wall configuration allows individual wall sections to include one of a number of variants which can dictate the type or form of activity facilitated by a particular play surface. Again, this allows the eventual users of the activity system to choose particular walls which suit the types of activities which they wish their activity system to facilitate.

The activities or games facilitated by a play surface can vary widely. A few examples of games which may be facilitated by the activity system of the present invention include but are not limited to the following: jump rope, wall climbing, handball, basketball, kickball, four square, soccer, cricket, tennis, badminton, volleyball and bowling.

Reference throughout the specification will be made to the walls employed having a prefabricated modular configuration which can include a number of distinct variations and forms. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that an activity system of the present invention may also include a number of customised forms or shapes of the wall or walls it incorporates. Furthermore, the shape appearance and configuration of each of these walls may vary substantially over the entire activity system.

In a preferred embodiment, an activity system of the present invention may incorporate a substantially flat or horizontal play area. The well or walls of the activity system may then be deployed on this play area to project upwards from same and therefore divide the play area into a number of independent and separate activity stations or regions. For example a single wall may divide a section of the play area into two independent activity stations, whereas two or more walls may divide a section of the play area into a greater number of independent activity stations.

A play area used in conjunction with the present invention may be formed from an array of materials including but not limited to grass, tarmac or concrete, woodchips, synthetic grass and safety surfaces or the internal floor of a structure. The activity system of the present invention may be deployed on any convenient play area, for example a public park or school grounds, or the floor of a gymnasium or other suitable building. In instances where the activity system is deployed inside a structure it is envisioned that the base of each wall may be removably attached or engaged with the floor of the building to allow the activity system to be collapsed and removed when not in use.

Preferably, each wall of the activity system may define two opposed play surfaces on the opposite sides of the wall. Each of these play surfaces can be used in an activity independent of each other due to the wall dividing a section of the play area into two separate activity stations.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the activity system may incorporate two or more walls attached to one another in a range of configurations. This provides variability in the types of activities which the system can facilitate. For example, some activities or games may require a corner between two walls positioned at right angles to one another. For example, it may be desirable to have a corner behind a baseball or softball pitch to contain the ball without the requirement for a back stop.

Adjacent play surfaces facilitating differing activities allow the invention to provide a wide range of activity options for children to choose from, even if some activities cannot be completed at the same time. It should be appreciated that any configuration of walls can be utilised by the walls of the present invention.

In some embodiments of the present invention the walls of the activity station may be straight; however in alternative embodiments the walls may be curved. Curved walls may increase the range of activities the activity system can provide. Additionally curved walls may help to contain the equipment utilised at a particular play surface. For example, if balls are being kicked or thrown against the play surface, a curved wall may decrease the likelihood of the ball moving into another activity station and potentially interrupting play at that station. This may also allow the activity station to be deployed on a smaller play area.

In a preferred embodiment a play surface may have markings, printing or text applied to it. For example, in some instances markings may be applied to a play surface to assist in the performance of a game or activity and to determine whether the rules of a game have been met or an objective of the game completed. Furthermore, such markings or text may display information pertinent to the rules or objectives of a particular game or activity facilitated by an activity station associated with the wall. In some instances markings or text on a play surface may also include inspirational or values based messages which may or may not be related to the particular activity facilitated by the activity station.

In a preferred embodiment a wall may include one or more apertures which can facilitate the performance of an activity or the playing of a game. For example, in some instances an aperture formed in the wall may define a goal mouth through which a ball would be kicked, thrown or otherwise encouraged. In other instances an additional target or further equipment may be deployed within the aperture defined to allow an objective of the activity to be completed.

In a further preferred embodiment, additional equipment may be deployed within an aperture of a wall. In one embodiment the additional equipment may be a net used to capture the progress of a ball driven through the aperture. Alternatively, the additional equipment may be a set of cricket stumps or other forms of target for a ball which—when struck—can indicate that an objective of game or activity has been met. Such equipment may be permanently deployed within an aperture of a wail, thereby minimizing the amount of equipment which needs to be carried to the activity system by users.

In alternative embodiments an aperture may be utilised to attach a piece of equipment to the play surface. For example an attachment point for a skipping rope allows two (or more) children to play jump rope without the need for additional children. Alternatively a net, such as a volleyball net or the like for example, may be attached to the play surface. It is also envisaged that the nets may be affixed to the apertures during the manufacturing of the activity centre, well before the activity centre is installed on location.

In a further preferred embodiment, additional components or elements may be engaged with a play surface of a wall. For example, in one instance a basketball/netball net or hoop, badminton net, or a volleyball net may be attached to a play surface to allow basketball, netball or volleyball style games to be played at a particular activity station.

In some embodiments a play surface may incorporate one or more projections or depressions arranged to bounce back an object thrown at the surface at an unpredictable angle. These projections or depressions can therefore provide an element of unpredictability to game play and hence allow a number of exciting and interesting games to be facilitated by the associated action station.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that the modular walls of the present invention may be attached to one another by any known attachment means. This may include for example a metal joining assembly into which the ends of adjacent walls may be fitted at varying angles. Alternatively, a joining assembly which allows the end of one wall to be attached to the flat (or curved) surface of an adjacent wall.

In a preferred embodiment the joining means allows a varying number of walls to be attached to one another quickly and easily and in a number of configurations. In some embodiments this may also allow the activity system to be updated by the addition, removal or replacement of wall(s) if desired.

In one embodiment a joining means may be formed by a metal bracket with a form or shape equivalent to the angle at which two or more walls intersect. For example in instances where two walls are to meet at a right angle, a corresponding L-shaped or right angle form bracket may be employed as a joining means. Alternatively another embodiment where three walls are to intersect together with an angle of approximately 120 degrees to each other a three armed metal bracket may be provided with each of the arms intersecting at an angle of 120 degrees. Such brackets may be laid over the top edges of walls and bolted or otherwise fastened to the walls to connect them together.

In one embodiment where a net or netting is applied within an aperture formed in a wall a tamper resistant connection system may be employed. Such tamper resistant systems may be provided by a channel formed in the edges of the wall which define the aperture, where projecting tethers on the edges of the netting can be threaded through and into this channel. With such a connection scheme the edge of the netting will therefore be secured within the channel with no exposed connectors being present. Furthermore, in embodiments where vandalism of may be an issue the netting may be formed from reinforced shark netting composed from multiple wire thread net covered by a nylon sleeve.

The present invention may provide a number of advantages over the prior art. An activity system formed in accordance with the present invention can allow a number of independent activity stations to be deployed which can include at least a portion or preferably the majority of the equipment required to participate in an activity or game. Rules, instructions and inspirational messages or decorations may be marked onto the play surfaces of walls forming the activity system, as can markings which assist in the completion of the objectives of activities or games, Preferably the modular and prefabricated nature of the activity system walls allows a high degree of flexibility in terms of activity system design while also minimizing the implementation costs of same. Apertures, projections or depressions formed in the systems walls can allow a wide range and variety of activities to be facilitated by the system, potentially promoting traditional sporting skills or allowing new innovative games to be played using these systems. The activity system of the present invention provides activity stations which may appeal to children who are too old for existing playground equipment, but who are not yet able to utilise adult equipment to its full potential.

In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “comprising” has the non-exclusive meaning of the word, in the sense of “including at least” rather than the exclusive meaning in the sense of “consisting only of”. The same applies with corresponding grammatical changes to other forms of the word such as “comprise”, “comprises” and so on,

Although the invention is described above with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an activity system formed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 (FIGS. 2A to 2G) illustrates the top or plan view of a number of activity systems formed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the construction and arrangement of walls used in an activity system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan or top view of an activity system formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 (FIGS. 5A to 5J) illustrates a number of play surfaces provided in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 (FIGS. 6A to 63) Illustrates a further set of play surfaces provided in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an activity system formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows the provision of an activity system which incorporates three wails which terminate or meet each other at approximately 120° angles. These walls are located on a single substantially flat playing surface and delineate this playing surface into three separate areas. Furthermore, court markings are also applied onto the play area to define a number of distinct areas, which facilitate the playing of a variety of games.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in the embodiment shown in respect to FIG. 1, a number of games (such as tennis or volleyball for example) may be played across and over the span of each of the walls, thereby providing a number of activity stations which may span both sides of a wall. However, other regions of each of these walls also facilitate or provide further activity stations which are stand alone in nature and which allow games to be played on both sides of the walls. For example, in the case of the left most wall, a set of apertures are provided in the wall that are closed by netting. These nets and their associated apertures provide targets for ball skill related games.

FIG. 1 also illustrates how the intersection of the walls of the activity system of the present invention can provide a corner, which in use can also trap and effectively bounce balls or other games equipment back to players.

FIG. 1 also illustrates how the walls can also include curved sections or faces. These curves provide some variability in respect of the reflection angles which balls can exhibit when thrown against a wall and can also improve the aesthetic appeal of the resulting activity system.

As can be clearly seen from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each of the walls include a number of design variations which facilitate the playing of a number of games against or potentially over each wall. The walls illustrated include a number of apertures which are closed off by netting material where this netting is permanently installed within each wall. Permanent installation of such equipment reduces the amount of additional equipment users will need to collect to play a variety of games using the activity system.

As will be described in more detail below, the wall components of the present invention are modular, which provides the possibility of altering the activity system to allow different activities to be carried out using the system of the present invention. The modular walls can be permanently fixed in place or can remain alterable thereby allowing the walls to be changed periodically.

The modular walls are constructed in various predetermined shapes and sizes. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the activity system includes at least two discrete sets of modular walls, the first set having walls of a first predetermined size and shape and the second set having walls of a second predetermined size and shape.

FIGS. 2A to 2G show a number of different configurations of walls which may be utilised to provide an activity system according to various alternative embodiments of the present invention.

Each of these configurations includes at least two walls attached to one another in differing configurations to provide varying numbers and sizes of activity stations.

For example FIG. 2A includes two walls (1) and (2), which provides io a number of potential play surfaces (3 to 7). Play surfaces (3 to 7) may each relate to different activities or games by the incorporation of at least a portion or component of equipment required by users to perform that particular activity or game. In some instances adjacent play surfaces, for example (4) and (5) may be configured to be utilised in the same activity or game.

Similarly:

FIG. 2B includes three walls (8), (9) and (10) and associated potential play surfaces (11 to 16).

FIG. 2C includes two walls (17) and (18) and associated potential play surfaces (19 to 22).

FIG. 2D includes four walls (23), (24), (25) and (26) and associated potential play surfaces (27 to 35).

FIG. 2E includes five walls (36), (37), (38), (39) and (40) and associated potential play surfaces (41 to 50).

FIG. 2F includes two walls (51), and (52) and associated potential play surfaces (53 to 56).

FIG. 2G includes two walls in a cross formation having associated play surfaces.

FIG. 3 shows examples of a curved wall which may be utilised with the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a side on view of a wall (57), which includes three panels (58), (59) and (60). These panels may incorporate different play surfaces and accommodate different activities or games.

FIG. 3B shows a top view of the wall, showing the curvature provided.

FIG. 3C shows a side view of an alternate curved wall which incorporates a net.

FIG. 4 shows an activity system utilising three curved walls (61), (62) and (63). These wails are configured to provide three inward curving sides to the system. The walls include double sided panels where indicated at (64), (65) and (66) which provide the wall which defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of the walls.

FIG. 5 provides a number of examples of activities/markings which can be provided on the play surface of a wall, these include:

-   -   FIG. 5A: Bubble wall, the design on this play surface can be         used as targets, or just provide a pleasing appearance.     -   FIG. 5B: Fastball, this play surface includes an aperture (67)         in which a net (68) is positioned at which a ball to be thrown         or kicked from either side of the panel.     -   FIG. 5C: Kickball, this play surface includes aperture (69) in         which a net (70) is positioned at which a ball to be thrown or         kicked from either side of the panel.     -   FIG. 5D: Zigzag wall, this play surface includes indentations         (71) and/or protrusions (72) which when hit by a ball bounces         same back at an unpredictable angle.     -   FIG. 5E: Play surface including portion where         rules/inspirational messages can be printed.     -   FIG. 5F: Play surface which includes a basketball hoop.     -   FIG. 5G: Shoot Wall, this play surface includes apertures (73)         in which a net (74) is positioned which form marked targets at         which a ball can be thrown.     -   FIG. 5H: Sticks, this play surface includes either apertures         and/or sticks or cricket wickets which can be used to practice         throwing and bowling.     -   FIG. 5I: Play surface including portion where         rules/inspirational messages can be printed, in addition to a         tall aperture which locates a net to allow play on both sides of         the panel.     -   FIG. 5J: Bounce Wall with sun design.

FIG. 6 shows a further set of play surfaces provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, which include:

-   -   FIG. 6A: Play surface includes apertures (80) that allow a ball         or the like to be thrown or kicked through from one side of the         wall to the other.     -   FIG. 6B: Play surface includes apertures (81) that allow a ball         or the like to be thrown or kicked through from one side of the         wall to the other.     -   FIG. 6C: Play surface includes nets (82) that allow a ball or         the like to be thrown or kicked through from one side of the         wall to the other.     -   FIG. 6D: Play surface includes a net (83) that allows a ball or         the like to be thrown or kicked through from one side of the         wall to the other and a plurality of grips (84) to allow a         player to climb up to throw a ball into the net.     -   FIG. 6E: The wall includes a cut out section (88) and a net         (86).     -   FIG. 6F: The wall includes a cut out section (88) and a net         (86).     -   FIG. 6G: The play surface includes either apertures and/or         sticks or cricket wickets which can be used to practice throwing         and bowling.     -   FIG. 6H: The play surface includes a painted target section         which can be used to practice throwing, bowling and kicking.

It will be apparent that obvious variations or modifications may be made which are in accordance with the spirit of the invention and which are intended to be part of the invention, and any such obvious variations or modifications are therefore within the scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention has industrial applicability for use in playgrounds, sporting facilities, schools or other public or private areas to provide an activity/game system for children. The activity system of the present invention provides a system for activities/games which can be utilised children of ages which are not directly targeted by current playground or sporting equipment. 

1-26. (canceled)
 27. An activity system which includes: a play area; and two or more walls attached to one another that divides the play area into a number of independent and separate activity stations; wherein each wall defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of the wall, each play surface capable of facilitating an activity; and wherein at least one wall has: (a) at least one aperture being formed in the wall, wherein the aperture allows users of the activity system to complete an objective of an activity facilitated by the activity system; and/or (b) at least one projection or depression formed in the play surface of the wall, wherein the projection or depression bounces back an object thrown at the wall at an unpredictable angle.
 28. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the walls are modular walls having modular wall sections of various predetermined shapes and sizes.
 29. An activity system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the modular wall sections comprise at least two discrete sets of predetermined shapes and sizes, the first set having modular wall sections of a first predetermined size and shape and the other set(s) having modular wall sections of other predetermined size(s) and shape(s).
 30. An activity system as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least one modular wall section is prefabricated prior to installation within the activity system.
 31. An activity system as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least one modular wall section has at least one of a plurality of design variations which facilitate activities played on the play surface of the wall.
 32. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein a wall of the activity system has at least one of a plurality of design variations which facilitates the performance of at least two independent game activities by users.
 33. An activity system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the game activities facilitated by the activity system include any one or more of the following: jump rope, wall climbing, handball, basketball, kickball, four square, soccer, cricket, tennis, badminton, volleyball and bowling.
 34. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the activity system is deployed in a public park or school grounds.
 35. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the activity system is deployed on the floor of a building structure.
 36. An activity system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the base of each wall is removably engaged with the floor of the building.
 37. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein two walls are attached to one another using a joining assembly into which the ends of adjacent walls can be fitted at varying angles.
 38. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the play surface has markings, printing or text applied to it.
 39. An activity system as claimed in claim 38, wherein markings are applied to a play surface to assist in the performance of a game or activity.
 40. An activity system as claimed in claim 38, wherein markings display information pertinent to the rules or objectives of a particular game facilitated by an activity station associated with the wall.
 41. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein a basketball or netball hoop, volleyball, tennis or badminton net is attached to a wall.
 42. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein an aperture formed in a wall defines a goal mouth.
 43. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein additional equipment is deployed within an aperture of a wall, being a net used to capture a ball driven through the aperture or a set of cricket stumps or target for a ball.
 44. An activity system as claimed in claim 27 wherein there are three walls that are attached to one another at a central axis and intersecting at an angle of about 120 degrees.
 45. An activity system as claimed in claim 44, wherein the three walls intersect at a central axis, which comprises a wall section that has three curved play surfaces. 